Raelene Boyle and Jeff Kennett team up to help women with breast cancer and depression

A NEW resource produced by beyondblue: the national depression initiative and the Breast Cancer Network Australia (BCNA) to help those affected by breast cancer to recognise the link with depression and available support.

beyondblue Chairman Jeff Kennett, BCNA CEO Lyn Swinburne, beyondblue CEO Leonie Young and Olympian Raelene Boyle, who developed depression after her diagnosis of breast cancer, launched the partnership and fact sheet at the MCG on Monday January 8.

Ms Boyle was one of the estimated one in two breast cancer survivors who experience depression or anxiety after their diagnosis.¹

"At the time I was diagnosed my mother was dying of lung cancer so it was a very, very hard time," she said. "The condition was recognised by my GP, who realised that I was sinking into a deep depression.

"You get to a stage where you want to stay in bed all the time, you don't want to communicate with anyone and you're scared to death about what's going to happen to you."

Ms Boyle started seeing a psychiatrist and took antidepressant medication to treat her depression.

"Today, I'm conscious of the fact I need to look after myself. I exercise. I go out and garden, I mix with friends, I recognise the triggers and avoid those triggers and I keep my life on track."

Sadly, fellow BCNA member, Australian marathon runner Kerryn McCann passed away on the morning of the launch, after being diagnosed with an aggressive form of breast cancer in 2007.

Boyle, while distraught at the loss of her friend, said it was moving the launch was held at the MGC overlooking the very track where Ms McCann won gold in the 2006 Commonwealth Games.

"It's extraordinary ... For her, her family and friends and every Aussie who watched her win the Gold Medal here, they'll be having a silent thought - of the good times.

"She was an inspiration - and so is every other woman with breast cancer who survives and gets on with their lives."

BCNA CEO, Lyn Swinburne, said the entire organisation was devastated by Ms McCann's death but the focus was now on improving life for breast cancer survivors.

"While it's a challenging time for us, we have to refocus and think about those 36 women who are being told today that they have breast cancer. We need to think about those women who struggle and make sure support structures are in place to help them."

"The symptoms of the side effects of breast cancer treatment may increase a woman's risk of depression, but they may also mask the depression, making it difficult to diagnose.

"The important thing is that we want women to know they are not alone. We hope that through this partnership women will know there are places they can go to help."

beyondblue Chairman Jeff Kennett described the partnership as "terribly important".

"People shouldn't feel embarrassed or ashamed to seek help for depression. Maintaining good mental health is just as important as staying physically healthy," he said. "It's not a crime to be ill, but from my point of view, it is a crime not to seek help."

The Depression and Breast Cancer Fact sheet, available through Breast Cancer Network Australia or beyondblue, gives practical advice on dealing with depression.

To obtain a copy of the fact sheet contact Breast Cancer Network Australia on 1800 500 258 or go to the website at www.bcna.org.au.

For the fact sheet and more information on depression, available treatments and how to help someone call the beyondblue information line 1300 22 4636 or click here.

(1) Burgess C. Cornelius V. Love S. Graham J. Richards M. Ramirez A. Depression and anxiety in women with early breast cancer: five year observational cohort study. BMJ. 330(7493):702, 2005 Mar 26.